Portable Water Storage System

ABSTRACT

A portable water storage system for draining and refilling building fire protection systems is provided. The system includes a tank for storing fire protection system water, a hose connecting the building fire protection system to the tank. A vacuum pump is configured to draw a low pressure on the fire protection system. A water pump is configured to return the water of the fire protection system from the tank to the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to portable water storagesystems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobilesystem that can drain building fire safety systems, store the drainedwater, and then refill the drained system with the same water drained,saving on usage.

Description of Related Art

Building fire protection systems, such as automatic building sprinklersystems, may need to be drained for a number of reasons. For example,restoring an activated dry or wet-pipe system after use, sprinklerrepair, expanding an existing system, inspection, maintenance, and thelike. Generally, draining of the system involves waste of the drainwater.

Therefore, what is needed is a water storage system that can recycle thedrained water from the fire protection systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases,interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem,and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.

In one aspect, a portable water storage system for draining andre-filling building fire protection systems is provided. The system hasa water tank for storing water from and/or for the fire protectionsystem. At a first end, the hose is connected to the water tank. At asecond end, the hose is connectable to the building fire protectionsystem. A vacuum pump is connected to the hose and configured to draw anegative pressure on the hose during a draining of the building fireprotection system. Once work, inspection, or the like, that required thedraining of the fire protection system has completed, the vacuum pumpmay be deactivated, and the system prepared to re-fill the fireprotection system and/or when the system is drained. A water pump isconnected along the flow line of the hose and is configured to pumpwater from the tank into the building fire protection system.

In another aspect, a water storage system connected to a building fireprotection system is provided. As above, the system has a water tank forstoring water from and/or for the fire protection system. At a firstend, the hose is connected to the water tank. At a second end, the hoseis connected to the building fire protection system. A vacuum pump isconnected to the hose and configured to draw a negative pressure on thehose. A water pump is connected along the flow line of the hose andarranged to pump water from the tank into the building fire protectionsystem. The building fire protection system has a quantity of pipingwith at least one sprinkler head at an outlet(s) of the piping. Thebuilding fire protection system also includes a drain port, which isconfigured for a draining and/or filling of the system. The hose secondend is connected to this drain port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a side view of an embodiment of the present inventionshowing the various components.

FIG. 2 provides a view of an embodiment of the present inventionconnected to a building fire protection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodimentsof the invention and does not represent the only forms in which thepresent invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The descriptionsets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing andoperating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.

Generally, the present invention concerns a portable system for drainingwater from building fire safety systems-such as wet pipe sprinklersystems, and then returning this drained water after maintenance,inspection, or the like is finished.

The portable water storage system generally includes a tank forreceiving drained water, a hose system for connecting the fire safetysystem to the tank, a vacuum pump to draw negative pressure on the firesafety system during and/or after draining, and a water pump to returnthe water from the tank back to the fire safety system. In varyingembodiments, the present invention may be used with water, or otherfluid systems such as antifreeze. While the term “water” is used hereinto discuss system operation, it should be understood that “water” mayalso refer to any other fire suppressing fluid, such as antifreeze,water mixtures and solutions, and the like.

One common type of fire safety system is a “wet pipe” building sprinklersystem. These systems include piping throughout a building withsprinkler heads positioned in various places to spray water in the eventof a fire. Wet pipe systems contain water within the pipes so that assoon as a sprinkler is activated, water is available for spraying. Inmany cases, water tanks are part of this system to provide a containedwater source, so the sprinkler does not have to rely on water flow froma well or municipal water source. These tanks may or may not be drainedas part of the operation of the present invention.

During maintenance or inspection of wet pipe systems, it is typicallynecessary to drain the systems so that the system components can beaccessed without excess water spillage. These systems generally have adrain port or ports that allows draining of the water into a buildingdrain or outside. Dry pipe systems, which do not have fluid-filled pipeswhen not in operation, also have similar aspects and similardrain/access ports that allow the present invention to be used formaintenance.

The present invention is configured to be connected to theaforementioned drain ports to capture the water drained from the firesafety system. A hose is configured to be attachable to the drain portof a fire safety system, allowing water to pass through the hose intothe system tank. Upon substantial draining of the building fireprotection system, the vacuum pump of the system may be activated todraw a negative pressure on the building fire protection system. Thisaids in drawing trapped water out of the building fire protectionsystem, and limiting spillage during maintenance, service work, and/orinspection. In particular, once a component of the system (such as asprinkler head, plug, piece of pipe, etc.) is removed so that the systemis opened the vacuum pump draws water to the tank. A water pump may thenpump the water back into the building fire protection system once workis completed. In one embodiment, a filter may be positioned on along aflow path from the tank back to the system. The filter may clean thewater before it is returned to the fire protection system. Inembodiments configured for use on dry pipe fire protection systems, anair compressor may be part of the system. The air compressor may be usedto fill the dry pipe system to a working pressure, and to aid inremoving fluid that may be in the system after a fluid pressure test.

In most embodiments, the present invention is configured to be portable.In one embodiment, it is mounted on a trailer that may be attached to avehicle and brought from site to site. The portable system may be fullycontained in many embodiments, including a generator to supply power tothe pumps. A single tank may be used, or multiple tanks may be employed.In one embodiment, the tank may be a single 1200 gallon tank. In anotherembodiment, four 330 gallon tanks may be used. In a particularembodiment, a second tank may be used in the system. The second tank maybe filled with fresh water (or other fire suppression fluid). In such anembodiment, instead of refilling the system with the drained fluid, thefresh fluid may be pumped in using the water pump connected to thesecond tank.

Turning now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the portable water storagesystem is provided. The portable water storage system is mounted on atrailer 10, which has a number of wheels 12 and a tongue 11 forconnection to a vehicle. On the trailer 10 are components of the system.A tank 14 is sized and configured to receive water drained from a firesafety system without overflow. This draining may include both drainingof piping of the fire safety system as well as water supply tanks,depending on system configuration. A hose 18 is connected to the tank 14for flow into and out of the tank 14. In some embodiments, the hose 18may connect through a drain manifold connected to one or more tanks.Hose 18 extends to a hose reel 15 which can provide wrapped storage ofthe hose when not in use. The hose 18 distal end extends or isextendable away from the trailer 10. At the distal end of the hose 18 isa connector 21 such as a cam lock fitting, or the like, which allowsconnection of the hose to a drainage port of a fire safety system.

A vacuum pump 17 is in communication with the hose 18 through connection20, which may be a manifold, direct connection, or the like. The vacuumpump 17 is configured to draw a low pressure (a pressure less thanatmospheric pressure) on the hose 18. In a particular embodiment, anisolation valve may be configured to isolate the vacuum pump 17. Forexample, the valve may be on the hose 18 upstream of the vacuum pump(that is-between the vacuum pump 17 and the tank 14) to limit the lowpressure to be drawn downstream of the pump-drawing a pressure on thefire protection system and not on the tank. The vacuum pump 17 isconfigured to urge stuck water out of the system, enhancing draining andlimiting spillage. Specifically, the vacuum pump 17 aids in getting asmuch old water in the system as possible, especially when removingsystem components in a variety of locations in the building fireprotection system.

A water pump 16 is also in communication with the hose 18 by connection19, which may be a direct connection, a manifold, or the like. In oneembodiment, the water pump 16 may be a 175 gallon-per-minute pump. Inmany embodiments, the water pump 16 may be arranged to pump water fromthe tank 14 back into the fire protection system after draining. Anisolation valve may also be positioned on the hose 18 or connection 19to isolate the water pump 16 when not in use. The water pump 16 furthermay be configured to re-pressurize the fire protection system. Inanother embodiment, a second separate pump (not shown) may be utilizedfor re-pressurizing. This re-pressurizing may be performed using fluidfrom the tank 14 or a separate water source. Power sources for thevacuum and/or water pumps 17, 16 may be part of the trailer 10 or may beexternal.

In a particular embodiment, a valve may control the hose connection tothe tank. The valve may allow that during the draining process, thewater flow is at a middle or top of the tank flowing in, while duringthe re-filling of the fire protection system process, the water may bedrawn from a bottom of the tank. A simple three way valve or itsequivalent may be used in such embodiments to control flow path.Typically, the same hose 18 provides the flow path for both draining ofthe system and re-filling of the system.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention being used andconnected to a building fire protection sprinkler system. In this view,the trailer 10 contains the tank 14, water pump 16, and vacuum pump 17.These components operate as discussed with regard to FIG. 1. The hose 18extends to the building system and is connected to a drain port. Theconnector 21 of the hose 18 is connected with the drain port 21 of thebuilding system. A pipe 23 extends into the building, splitting intofirst floor piping 24 and second floor piping 25. Spray heads 26 arepositioned at outlets of the pipings 24, 25.

In one embodiment of use, the present invention system may be moved to aposition near a building fire protection system. Likely this movementmay be vehicle aided, such as by driving a truck connected to a traileron which the invention is mounted. A hose, such as a two inch hose, canbe drawn from the system and connected to a drain of the building fireprotection system, for example a wet pipe sprinkler system. Afterconnecting the hose, the water may be drained through the hose into thetank. Once substantially drained, the vacuum pump may be activated todraw the low pressure on the hose and fire protection system. This helpscapture as much water as possible, and enhances working conditions bydrawing out trapped water within the system. For example, if a pipeconnection or valve is opened, it may allow for free flow of previouslystationary water. The negative pressure will urge the free flowing waterout of the system. The vacuum pump may provide a steady suction on thesystem while drained. In one embodiment, the vacuum pump is configuredto be left on until re-filling is desired.

After the work is completed, and/or the fire protection system is to bere-filled, the vacuum pump may be deactivated. For filling and/orre-filling, appropriate valves may be opened or closed, depending onembodiment, and then the water pump may be activated. This water pumpconveys the water drained from the fire protection system, which isstored in the tank, back through the hose and into the building fireprotection system. Once all of the water, or as much as possible, hasbeen returned to the system, a valve on the fire protection system maybe closed, and the water storage system may be detached. In the eventthat the fire protection system has not been fully re-pressurized,additional water may be pumped in using either the water storage systemof the present invention, or an external water source.

In another embodiment of use, the present invention may be used on newconstruction/installation of a fire protection system. In suchembodiments, typically municipal water sources have not been connectedto the building yet and thus there is no on site water. The waterstorage system of the present invention may be moved adjacent to thebuilding. The hose may be drawn out and connected to the fire protectionsystem. In this embodiment, the water storage system may have its tankalready filled with water. Here, the water pump may be activated, andthe system filled with the water from the tank until the system reachesthe desired pressure. In some embodiments, the water storage system mayinclude a built in secondary hydrostatic test pump to allow testing ofthe fire protection system and/or to raise the sprinkler system to aworking pressure if the building has a fire pump, or if the building ishigher in elevation such that the primary water pump is not powerfulenough to bring the system to the desired pressure. In a specificembodiment, the hydrostatic test pump can be used to raise the pressurewithin the building fire protection system to a testing pressure. Thisallows testing of the system to ensure it is in good working condition.After the pressure testing is complete, the system may be slightlydrained to return it to holding pressure. Such operation applies to bothwet and dry fire protection systems, with the difference being that indry systems, more fluid is drained after the pressure test.

While several variations of the present invention have been illustratedby way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparentthat further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scopeof the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, itis to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptationsare within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and areinclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as setforth.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable fluid storage system for draining andre-filling a building fire protection system comprising: a fluid tank; ahose connected to the fluid tank at a first end, and having a second endconnectable to the building fire protection system; a fluid pumppositioned along a flow path of the hose, wherein upon an activation ofthe fluid pump, is configured to pump a quantity of fluid from the fluidtank, through the hose, to the building fire protection system; and avacuum pump positioned along the flow path of the hose, wherein uponactivation of the vacuum pump, is configured to draw a negative pressureon the hose second end to convey a fluid through the hose into the fluidtank.
 2. The portable fluid storage system of claim 1 wherein the fluidtank, hose, fluid pump, and vacuum pump are all connected to a vehicletrailer.
 3. The portable fluid storage system of claim 1 wherein thefire protection system is a wet pipe sprinkler system.
 4. The portablefluid storage system of claim 1 further comprising a valve positionednear the first end of the hose, the valve capable of providing an inletflow to the tank in a first position of the tank in a first valveposition, and an outlet flow from the tank from a bottom of the tank ina second valve position.
 5. The portable fluid storage system of claim 1further comprising a plurality of tanks.
 6. The portable fluid storagesystem of claim 1 further comprising a hose reel, the hose wrappableabout the hose reel.
 7. The portable fluid storage system of claim 1further comprising an isolation valve along the hose between the vacuumpump and the tank.
 8. The portable fluid storage system of claim 1wherein the hose second end is connected to a drain port of the buildingfire protection system.
 9. The portable fluid storage system of claim 1further comprising a generator configured to power at least one of thefluid pump and the vacuum pump.
 10. The portable fluid storage system ofclaim 1 wherein the vacuum pump is configured to be continuouslyoperated after a draining of the building fire protection system intothe tank.
 11. A fluid storage system connected to a building fireprotection system, the fluid storage system comprising: a fluid tank; ahose connected to the fluid tank at a first end, and having a second endconnectable to the building fire protection system; a fluid pumppositioned along a flow path of the hose, wherein upon an activation ofthe fluid pump, is configured to pump a quantity of fluid from the fluidtank, through the hose, to the building fire protection system; and avacuum pump positioned along the flow path of the hose, wherein uponactivation of the vacuum pump, is configured to draw a negative pressureon the hose second end to convey a fluid through the hose into the fluidtank; the building fire protection system comprising: a quantity ofpiping; at least one sprinkler head; and a drain port, wherein the hosesecond end is connected to the drain port.
 12. The portable fluidstorage system of claim 11 wherein the fluid tank, hose, fluid pump, andvacuum pump are all connected to a vehicle trailer.
 13. The portablefluid storage system of claim 11 wherein the fire protection system is awet pipe sprinkler system.
 14. The portable fluid storage system ofclaim 11 further comprising a valve positioned near the first end of thehose, the valve capable of providing an inlet flow to the tank in afirst position of the tank in a first valve position, and an outlet flowfrom the tank from a bottom of the tank in a second valve position. 15.The portable fluid storage system of claim 11 further comprising aplurality of tanks.
 16. The portable fluid storage system of claim 11further comprising a hose reel, the hose wrappable about the hose reel.17. The portable fluid storage system of claim 11 further comprising anisolation valve along the hose between the vacuum pump and the tank. 18.The portable fluid storage system of claim 11 further comprising asecondary fluid pump configured to pump fluid into the fire protectionsystem through the hose.
 19. The portable fluid storage system of claim11 further comprising a generator configured to power the fluid pump andthe vacuum pump.
 20. The portable fluid storage system of claim 11wherein the vacuum pump is configured to be continuously operated aftera draining of the building fire protection system into the tank.